About

Monique

Reflexology, Craniosacral

When I left my Brittany, where I was born, it was to cross the Atlantic in a 30 m long sailing boat, discovering the wild sea, the whales, the dolphins, to arrive in the French Caribbean Islands. There I first found work on a sailing boat where I had no need of money, and enjoyed communing with nature sailing and diving, before going back to nursing firstly in French Guyana, then Guadeloupe and finally returning to France. These different adventures and experiences taught me a great deal about myself, people, and life in general. It certainly makes me realize how blessed I am.

A back problem made me investigate complementary therapies. Impressed by my own recovery I increasingly focused on this area as a career. I went on to qualify in Baby massage, Reflexology and Spinal Reflexology; then I went on to study Craniosacral Reflexology, Vertical Reflexology, Biodynamic Craniosacral therapy with the Craniosacral Therapy Educational Trust (CTET) school in London and Multi Reflexology, Dien Chan method, in Paris (2015).

As a therapist I have the privilege of treating babies, infants, children, teenagers and adults of different ages and especially pregnant women. My 25 years’ experience in Complementary Therapies has given me enormous insight into the benefits of these treatments in a great variety of disorders.

Over the years I have acquired an exceptionally deep understanding of touch-based therapies. We all move through life in a unique way, experiencing joy and excitement, but sometimes shock, trauma or stress. Whatever your story(ies), it’s never too late to overcome a painful situation. So let me try to redirect difficulties from your past. I will help you find the path to well-being and to feeling good again.

Your body is clever: through the touch of my fingertips, I can sense deep-rooted issues and in this way I work out the best treatment for you. At the end of the session you should leave feeling more relaxed and comfortable, both physically and emotionally with a sense of knowing.

Over the years I have worked with all ages, from babies and children to the elderly. No two people are the same because different experiences happen to every one of us. So, although a set of symptoms may be similar to those of others, each individual is different and is treated as just that. Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a holistic treatment – not just for the physical body but the whole person.

My interest in this holistic approach began following a bereavement in my own life. My physical and emotional health suffered through the process of grief and I was fortunate enough to be introduced to biospiritual focusing which works through a dialogue using the ‘felt sense’. I completed training in this and became fascinated by the wisdom held in the body and the supportive balance between mind, body and spirit.

Craniosacral therapy was a natural step to explore this further and I trained at the College of Craniosacral Therapy in 2008. With a background of 20 years working in the NHS, I chose to study an integrated form of CST which teaches biomechanical technique built on detailed knowledge of anatomy and physiology, but also expands awareness into the biodynamic field where the more subtle energy work takes place.

The power of CST is its simplicity – working within stillness, which is not something most of us experience in our busy lives. We all have a history of events held inside us and our bodies are amazing at compensating for all that happens to them physically and at keeping safe our emotional responses to difficult circumstances. But sometimes holding too much begins to create problems and we become unwell.

It is my privilege to work with babies who demonstrate so instinctively how to work with CST. Throughout their birth process they are subjected to tremendous force on their physical bodies which can cause discomfort and misalignment. As well as the physical impact however, are the more subtle elements of shock and trauma which are a key element in craniosacral treatment. These physical and emotional elements are inextricably combined and the sensitivity of CST allows both to release – the body feels more comfortable and fear and anxiety are relieved. The process is much the same for adults, although symptoms may be different expressing themselves for example as stress or anxiety, IBS or physical pain.

My work over the years has become increasingly sensitive to the field of trauma and my recent advanced training in chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia has reinforced my faith in the power of CST to help with even the most fragile of systems.

I am registered with the CSTA (Craniosacral Therapy Association) and as such I am subject to strict codes of conduct, standards, continuing professional development and full insurance.